At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in designing life-saving products for harsh environments.
- Company: Established tech company in Cambridge with a mission to save lives.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, leadership role, and opportunities for innovation.
- Other info: Fast-paced environment with excellent career growth and travel opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by guiding projects from concept to manufacture.
- Qualifications: Degree in Mechanical Engineering and experience leading teams.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 € per year.
Socode are working with a well-established technology business in Cambridge that designs and manufactures life-saving products used by customers around the world. As the company continues to scale its product portfolio and engineering capability, they are now looking to appoint a Head of Mechanical Engineering to lead and evolve their mechanical function. This is a senior leadership role with genuine technical depth, offering influence across product direction, team development, and delivery of complex, high-reliability hardware.
What will I be doing?
You will be responsible for the mechanical engineering capability across the business, leading a team of engineers working on devices used in harsh environments. The role blends people leadership with technical oversight. You will guide projects from early concept through design, validation, and into manufacture, while setting standards, improving processes, and building a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. You will work closely with electronics, manufacturing, quality, and programme teams to ensure mechanical solutions are practical, manufacturable, and delivered on time.
Key responsibilities:
- Lead, develop, and motivate the mechanical engineering team.
- Own mechanical design delivery across current and future product ranges.
- Provide technical direction on materials, mechanisms, enclosures, and structural design.
- Oversee development, testing, and verification of mechanical systems and components.
- Ensure projects meet cost, schedule, and quality expectations.
- Define and maintain engineering standards, processes, and best practice.
- Support cross-functional collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain.
- Track performance through KPIs and use data to drive improvement.
- Identify opportunities for innovation in design methods, tools, and technologies.
- Support occasional travel as required (expenses covered).
We are looking for:
- Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related discipline (Master's advantageous).
- Demonstrable experience leading mechanical engineering teams in a product-based environment.
- Strong background in the design and development of consumer or portable hardware products.
- Solid understanding of manufacturing methods, including injection moulding and volume production.
- Hands-on experience with 2D/3D CAD tools (Creo or SolidWorks) and mechanical simulation software (e.g. ANSYS).
- A confident, pragmatic leader who can influence across disciplines and challenge constructively.
- Well-organised, delivery-focused, and comfortable operating in a fast-moving environment.
- Analytical approach to problem solving with a track record of delivering complex projects.
- Experience defining and tracking KPIs and driving continuous improvement initiatives.
Head of Mechanical Engineering in Cambridge employer: SoCode Recruitment
At Socode, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in the heart of Cambridge where innovation meets purpose. As the Head of Mechanical Engineering, you will lead a talented team dedicated to developing life-saving products, with ample opportunities for professional growth and collaboration across disciplines. Our culture fosters accountability and continuous improvement, ensuring that your contributions directly impact the success of our cutting-edge technology.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Mechanical Engineering in Cambridge
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the industry, attend relevant events, and engage with professionals on platforms like LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help you land that dream job.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products thoroughly. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your experience aligns with their needs. We want you to walk into that interview feeling confident and ready to impress!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss your past experiences leading teams and projects. We want to hear about how you’ve motivated others and driven results, especially in challenging environments. Make sure to highlight your ability to influence and collaborate across disciplines.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged. So, get your application in and let’s make this happen together!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Mechanical Engineering in Cambridge
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences that match the Head of Mechanical Engineering role. Highlight your leadership experience and technical expertise in mechanical design, as this will show us you’re the right fit for our team.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you're passionate about leading a mechanical engineering team and how your background aligns with our mission. Be sure to mention any innovative projects you've led that relate to life-saving products.
Showcase Your Technical Skills:Don’t forget to include your hands-on experience with CAD tools and any relevant software like ANSYS. We want to see how you’ve applied these skills in real-world scenarios, especially in developing consumer or portable hardware products.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at SoCode Recruitment
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your technical knowledge related to mechanical engineering. Be ready to discuss your experience with design and development, especially in harsh environments. Familiarise yourself with the specific tools mentioned in the job description, like Creo or SolidWorks, so you can confidently talk about your hands-on experience.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Head of Mechanical Engineering, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and motivate a team. Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed teams in the past, focusing on how you’ve fostered a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Think about specific challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Company’s Products
Research the company’s product portfolio and understand the life-saving technologies they develop. Be prepared to discuss how your background aligns with their mission and how you can contribute to evolving their mechanical function. This shows genuine interest and helps you connect your experience to their needs.
✨Prepare for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Since this role involves working closely with other teams, think about your experiences collaborating across disciplines. Prepare to discuss how you’ve effectively communicated and worked with electronics, manufacturing, and quality teams in the past. Highlight any successful projects that required strong cross-functional teamwork.
